Contra Aid

August 9, 1988

THE WHITE House and Senate Republicans on Monday rejected a Democratic plan to provide new humanitarian aid to the Contra rebels in Nicaragua, a Senate aide said. The rejection threw into doubt Democratic efforts to work out a bipartisan aid plan. South Carolina Republican Strom Thurmond said the plan, which puts off any vote on military aid, was unsatisfactory. The Democratic plan would provide $27 million in humanitarian assistance but would require a second vote by Congress to release $16.3 million in military aid. This could take place only after President Reagan had met strict conditions. A Senate aide, who asked not to be identified, said strong opposition to the Democratic plan had been voiced at a meeting of about 35 Republican senators and White House National Secueity Adviser Colin Powell. The aide said Powell also had objections.